Chapter 96: Yunyang Sect's Unavoidable Choice
Chapter 96: Yunyang Sect's Unavoidable Choice
The three elders held high positions, but they were also well aware of the current situation.
Regardless of whether Su Chen truly possessed exceptional talent, it seemed they couldn't acknowledge it, nor was it possible for them to do so.
Yunyang Sect was the top sect in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
A disciple who had been expelled, yet one with remarkable talent.
If such a matter were exposed, what would become of Yunyang Sect's prestige?
In the future, would the decisions and authority of Yunyang Sect's upper echelons still hold any weight?
With these thoughts in mind, the three elders chose not to say more.
"On the frontline, let's arrange for a few more Hall Masters to reinforce the defense."
In the current situation, this was the only effective solution.
Yunyang Sect's frontline didn't have high expectations; they would be content as long as they could hold off the enemy to some extent.
Occasionally, some demonic beasts might slip through to the rear lines, but they could accept that.
However, there must be no more casualties.
If more disciples perished on the frontline defense, it would severely dampen morale.
After returning, the elders would also need to consider how to face the questions from the Sect Master.
Additionally, they had to decide on the arrangement of the scout disciples.
Currently, on the frontline, the scout disciples carefully cultivated by Sun Xue Rong were not performing well in terms of the accuracy of their reconnaissance.
They were far from achieving the level of reconnaissance they had in the past two years.
Given this situation, should they continue to cultivate these scout disciples? Or should they just disband the scout disciples altogether?
"Let's wait and see. After Jian Yun and Xing Wan have tried on the frontline, we'll decide on the next step.
Those two kids said they've gained some insights, and with their innate talent, they can achieve the reconnaissance abilities that others can't."
Upon hearing Sun Xue Rong's words, the Great Elder and Third Elder beside her nodded.
If the frontline situation didn't stabilize, the Sect Master might even ask them to personally go to the frontline to command.
Yunyang Sect's Frontline Camp
After the three elders left, the remaining four Hall Masters did not depart immediately.
They still had many matters to discuss.
"Hall Master Zhao, you should have held back some information. You've studied the behavior of demonic beasts extensively and should be able to make more accurate judgments about the beast tide."
Xia Kun's expression turned solemn. After hearing Zhao Li's words, his heart had been in turmoil.
The elders didn't trust her enough, but he did.
The other two Hall Masters beside him felt the same.
Hall Master Zhao might not be exceptional in other aspects, but when it came to the behavior and activity patterns of demonic beasts, her research was extremely thorough.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Li hesitated for a moment but didn't respond immediately.
She led the three of them out of the frontline and into the wilderness.
"Look at the current state of the wilderness frontline and the traces left by these beasts.
Most of the time, the demonic beasts harassing our defenses are being controlled by powerful demons or golden demons.
The traces they leave are usually more organized.
But look at the traces left by these beasts nearby; they are now in complete disarray.
Even during night raids, you can sense the increasing ferocity of these beasts.
These demonic beasts are likely being forced by some powerful force, driving them to harass our defenses."
Zhao Li paused for a moment as she spoke.
The three Hall Masters beside her grew even more solemn.
"There are two main speculations about the cause of the beast tide.
First, a powerful demon or even a heavenly demon in the wilderness has gone mad, causing these demonic beasts to flee the wilderness and attack our frontline.
Second, a famine has occurred in the wilderness, and these demonic beasts are being controlled by stronger demons, leading them to assault our frontline."
Of course, it's also possible for both scenarios to occur simultaneously."
Zhao Li spoke, and these speculations were the culmination of the human race's years of experience, gained at the cost of countless lives.
"I currently feel that the first scenario is most likely, but it's not as bad as it could be."
Zhao Li's words made the three Hall Masters, including Xia Kun, even more tense.
If a beast tide were to truly appear, not to mention the frontline disciples, even they, as Hall Masters, might be annihilated in the chaos.
"Zhao Shijie, don't leave us hanging. What do you mean by 'it's not that bad'?"
To be honest, the three Hall Masters were a bit shaken by her words.
"I sense that this wilderness already shows signs of an impending beast tide.
But it's still just signs, and we have room to maneuver.
Now, we need to let those demonic beasts know that we're not pushovers, not targets for them to trample upon.
If we make them fear us, make them cower, they'll naturally think twice before returning.
But if we continue to tolerate them as we are now, and even let these beasts gain some benefits, a beast tide is very likely to form."
Zhao Li's voice was soft, but to the three Hall Masters, it sounded like a deafening thunderclap.
"A three-foot-thick ice block doesn't form in a single day.
The formation of a beast tide doesn't happen suddenly overnight.
It goes through a formation period, a rapid change period, and only then does it become a beast tide.
But if we don't handle this well, our entire frontline could face a severe problem."
Hearing that the beast tide wouldn't happen immediately, Xia Kun and the other two Hall Masters felt a sense of relief.
However, this beast tide was indeed a significant issue that needed careful consideration.
"Zhao Shijie, what do you think we should do now?
The situation on the frontline feels like it won't be relieved anytime soon."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Li sighed.
"Actually, I was just about to bring this matter up with the three Elders.
If the frontline remains in this state, those beasts will only see us as easy targets.
The best solution is to seek assistance from other sects, quickly turning the tide of this dire situation.
Since we can't handle this decline on our own, those beasts will take advantage of every inch we give them.
Currently, it's just harassment, but soon, the beasts will launch large-scale raids against us.
If that happens, we'll have no choice but to seek help from the powerful individuals of other sects."
Many believed that large sects, with their numerous members, should be able to easily defend a several-tens-of-miles-long frontline.
However, taking Tiangang City as an example, the actual number of members who could be deployed on the frontline was at most three-tenths of the sect's total.
Sects had various affairs to manage, not just frontline defense.
Additionally, for every disciple on the frontline, the logistics support needed to increase as well.
Preparing various resources and related support work was an incredibly labor-intensive task.
Moreover, these support tasks couldn't afford any mistakes.
If the logistics failed, the frontline might collapse even faster.
Additionally, disciples needed rest and rotation, further reducing the available manpower.
Deploying three-tenths of the disciples to the frontline was already considered a harsh condition.
Under normal circumstances, frontline defense would be maintained with no more than two-tenths of a sect's total manpower.
Currently, Yunyang Sect had already dispatched three-tenths of its disciples to the frontline.
To enhance the defense of the frontline, the sect couldn't spare any more members.
Seeking external aid was the best solution.
"Elders, you probably won't agree to seeking assistance from other sects.
After all, we helped them last year, and they might find it hard to save face."
(End of Chapter)
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